Clive Byers

As another in this series of compact photo guides, this book provides a sampling of 246 birds, which is about 15% of Brazil’s 1,650+ birds. The scope of this book covers only the southern half of Brazil. A selection of birds from a variety of habitats is offered, as well as from many different families.

Most of the birds are shown with a single photo, which is predominantly of the male. A few of the birds have the female portrayed. Setting aside the smaller size of the photos – needed for a compact guide – at least 90-95% of the photos do a good job of showing the bird. The other 5%+ of the photos could be upgraded. These show the bird in the shadows, partially obscured by foliage, or in lighting that is too dim or too bright.

A single paragraph for each bird is written in a style that focuses more on talking about the bird in general (e.g., ...involves fanning out the wings and flashing eye-like markings that make it look more like a giant moth than a bird). The intent of the paragraph seems to be to introduce the casual birder to each bird. This information is brief with comments on habitat, behavior, or other natural history tidbits. If any descriptions of the bird are offered (not all species are described), the information is very minimal.

This book is best used as a cursory introduction to some Brazilian birds, which will probably be most appreciated by the casual birder. The limited photos, small amount of text, and the tiny fraction of Brazilian birds covered will prevent this book from being of much value in the field. It’s best used as a practice tool for recognizing some birds – and, for merely enjoying photos of a country you may want to visit.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) All the Birds of Brazil by Souza
2) Aves Do Brasil = Birds of Brazil: An Artistic View by Sigrist
3) Guia de Campo Aves do Brasil Oriental by Sigrist (ISBN 9788560120024)
4) Guia de Campo: Aves Da Amazonia Brasileira by Sigrist (ISBN 9788560120048)
5) Aves Brasileiras by Frisch
6) Aves da Grande Belem by Novaes
7) Aves na Mantiqueira by Hofling et al.
8) Birds in Brazil by Sick
9) Ornitologia Brasileira Volumes 1&2 by Sick
10) Guia de Campo Aves da Grande Sao Paulo by Develey
11) Aves do Estado de Sao Paulo by Willis and Oniki… (mere)

Basics: 1995, hardcover, 334 pages, 39 color plates, 110 species, range maps

To clarify the title and subtitle, this book is written to cover the Emberizidae of only the Holarctic (North America, Europe, Asia). However, some species from Africa and South America are included if their genera is also found in the North (e.g., Aimophila, Junco, Zonotrichia, Emberiza). Not covered in this book are sparrows found only in the more southern areas (e.g., grassquits, bullfinches) and, the other New World buntings belonging to the family of the cardinal (e.g., grosbeaks, seedeaters, saltators, dickcissel, indigo bunting, etc.).

Each of the 110 birds receives an average of two pages of text. The majority is on identification, description, and subspecies. This information is quite detailed and provides key points on separating one species from another. Additional sections on molt, measurements, taxonomy, voice, habits, status, habitat, and distribution are also given. Scores of black-and-white drawings are provided with the chapters to illustrate the finer points of feather patterns.

The range maps are the weaker part of this book. Adding political boundaries for countries or US states would have been very helpful. I remember looking at the map for the Godlewski’s Bunting and trying to discern if I was in or near the mapped area after looking at this bird in the field. One other criticism involves the section on geographical variations for the bird. Each subspecies is documented with the approximate ranges, which is useful. However, it takes extra research into many maps or atlases to figure out the boundaries around all the geographic locations mentioned in the text. It would have been remarkably simpler – for the reader – if these boundaries could have been included on the existing range maps. Other books in this series have included these subspecies ranges to great effectiveness.

The color plates are very good and offer a variety of plumages for each bird. Birds with variable plumages such as Savannah, Fox, and Song Sparrows are nicely done. I wish the Timberline form of the Brewer’s Sparrow could be displayed with more than just a forward-facing view of the upper breast and head. The patterning of the back is important. My only criticism of the plates is the arrangement of the birds across – or not – from the descriptive text. Too often, the numbers next to each bird appear to be in no order; consequently, forcing the reader to hunt across the page looking for bird 61b versus 61f.

This book is necessary for birders with a deeper interest in the details of (northern) sparrows, especially for those who are able to bring photos back home to scrutinize against this book. This is not a field guide and this is not a book for birders trying to first learn their sparrows.… (mere)